PART 9 – Empty Nights
2340 Local
Mac and Harm's House
San Diego, California
Words. Sentences. Phrases. Nuances that a lawyer should know were all blurring as Sarah MacKenzie tried to read through the case loads she would hand out the next day. It was a ritual of sorts, for her to check out the cases to choose the best defense and prosecution the night before she issued them. For one thing, it allowed her to be detached from the office and concentrate more on the cases than the tension that could sometimes be wrapped around it when in a legal setting. If a case was particularly complex, she would take it herself either as prosecutor or defense - it kept her lawyering skills sharp and gave her subordinates a real challenge.
This time, the case hadn't been chosen by her. No, this one Cresswell had sent to her with specific requests that she be the prosecutor. High profile cases weren't out of the norm. In this day and age it was difficult not to have government stepping on their turf. This case, though, was a bit more complex involving the only son of California's own Congresswoman, Barbara Wolf, a ball buster who never had a pleasant thing to say about the military. The Congresswoman's son, Kent Wolf, wanted to be a Marine since his teenage years and had recently graduated from OCS.
His first few months as an officer went by without a hitch and then, suddenly, an incident report had been filed when a civilian found Wolf passed out in the front lawn of his home in Coronado. His cammies had been ripped to shreds and he was unconscious and bleeding from his groin area and severe gashes on both the base of his skull and his forehead. The real problem, however, lay in the fact that Wolf's so called 'attacker,' Major Melissa Timms, claimed that it was self defense and Wolf had tried to attack her.
All in all, it was a great big mess for the Marine Corps which wouldn't end well for either party. Timms' father, Robert, was on the Senate Arms Committee.
Almost automatically, Mac reached for the ringing telephone, "MacKenzie." Her sharp tone towards the caller wasn't intentional, merely a sign of the stress she was under. The fact that Harm had been away for two days wasn't helping either.
("Hello MacKenzie. . .This is Rabb.")
His voice brought a weary smile to her face. "Hey." She sounded tired, exhausted even, and it was clear that there was a lot going on even with the bad connection. "I was wondering when you'd get a chance to call."
(He frowned at the sound of her voice. "You alright, Mac?. . .You sound kinda. . .funny. . .And not in a funny ha, ha, type of way either.")
Dramatically she sighed, tossed closed the file and made her way over to the window seat. "Nothing I can't handle, but I could really use that head of yours to bounce off ideas. . .Cresswell hit me with a doozy of a case."
(Harm grinned. One thing they were still good at was bouncing ideas off of one another. "Well, I can offer my services free of charge if you've got the time.")
Mac sighed. She had the time, but he didn't. "It's a bit too high profile to discuss over an open line. Let's just say it involves the son of one government mogul versus the daughter of another and Cresswell has me right smack in the middle."
("In the middle? Explain.")
"It's so high profile, he wants me to pick which side to be on. . .No matter what, it's going to look bad for JAG. . .I guess the reason he picked me is because he trusts me."
(That sounded like the right reason. If anything, Mac was passionate enough for any of the high profile gigs. "And who's opposing?")
Ah, that was something all together different. According to Cresswell, a former friend and colleague had returned. "Ah. . .well. . .Turner."
("Turner as in: Sturgis Turner?" As far as he knew, Sturgis had left the service and never looked back. They'd ended their friendship on bad terms, something that had been just as much his fault as Sturgis', but it ended badly nevertheless.)
"One in the same. . .Scuttlebutt has it that he and Varese split up and he decided to go back to what he was good at. . .I don't know, whatever. . .I have to go to Washington to try the case. Apparently one of the higher ups thinks that's neutral territory."
(Harm chuckled, it never ceased to amaze him how easily the government types could have things changed at the drop of a hat. Blink and that was it. "Let me know because if I get out of this early, I want to be wherever you are." The words slipped easily and though showing his true emotions hurt, it was all he could do.)
"I want that. . .I miss you, you know. . ." Moments like these she realized the true danger of loving someone so much, for Mac understood that if he were gone, she'd never, ever love again. "We're still under the same sky though. . .Under the same stars." Peeling back the curtain, she stared up at the night sky and the eerily bright stars.
(Standing from his bunk, Harm took a step and leaned over the small writing table, he held the radio in his hand. From that vantage point, he was about to see out of the porthole and up to the skies. "I guess we're in for a lot of empty nights, huh?")
Mac sighed. "That's what it was last night and what it's going to be tonight. . .I'm happy that you get the chance to fly the Tomcat again. . .I'm proud that you're serving our country and that your beliefs are the same as mine. . .But, whenever I'm Sarah and not Colonel MacKenzie, it hits home and I really miss you."
("I really miss you, too. . .We'll get through this, Mac. . . Besides, this way I can get one hell of a welcome home." He grinned, the lightness showing in his voice. "I DO have some good news. . .Skates is my RIO.")
Oddly enough, this would probably be the first time that Sarah MacKenzie would find comfort in the fact that Harm was spending time with another woman. "That is great to hear. . .You two, I've heard good things about. . .save for that one time you decided to sabotage my wedding to Mic." She chuckled, hearing over the line that the comment had its desired effect.
("Ah, so now you know the truth. . .I sabotaged the wedding and then played hard to get." Harm chuckled. "Apparently that story is NOT in short supply around here. . .But, Skates and I are confident that we will not have a repeat performance of that.")
"'Course not. . .It only works when I am marrying someone you don't approve of."
("Thankfully, that will NEVER happen again." He said that with conviction, knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that Mac was his girl. "I gotta go Mac, I'm being called over com. . .I just. . ." He trailed off, unable to prevent himself from thinking about other girlfriends and past lovers. All of the emotional moments he could have had, but never did. Until now. ". . .I just needed to hear your voice, you know?" )
"I know." She needed to hear his voice too, even if it was just for a bit. "Take care, Flyboy. . .Good Luck. . .I love you."
("Love you, too. . .Bye.")
The connection went dead and Mac sat there for a moment, just looking at the telephone. "Back to work, MacKenzie."
1020 Zulu
USS Patrick Henry
Undisclosed Location
Skates sauntered into the officer's mess needing a strong cup of coffee after the berating all RIOs received in the ready room from the CAG. Two had been taken off of the project for making bonehead moves that could have cost the loss of two Tomcats and their crews. Taking her full mug, she settled for a table in the corner, seeking the comfort of being alone. Everything Keeter had said – yelled – was right on. This was a serious situation, goofing off was going to get someone killed. She shook her head, amazed that one RIO in particular, still had the balls to joke around when the CAG was giving instructions. "May I take this seat?" Glancing up, she spotted an attractive, dark haired, light eyed Lieutenant Commander with the JAG insignia pinned to the lapel of his khakis. "All the other tables are taken."
Taking a quick look around the mess, she found it to be true. "Sure, have a seat."
"Thank you, ma'am." The younger officer smiled, then settled into his chair with a deep sigh. "Things are crazy around here, aren't they ma'am?"
"They have a right to be, Commander. . . I doubt you have much to do these days at the JAG office. . .When things get sketchy on board, we tend to keep in line more."
"I still have some work to do. . .I had to go through all of your legal records before you were let on the mission. . .I presume that you are Commander Hawkes, correct?"
Skates nodded. "Yes, Commander." Glancing up, she saw Harm saunter into the mess. "Excuse me. . .Hammer! Over here!" She waved him over, pointing at a seat to her left. "Hope you don't mind. . .My driver is here."
"Hey, Skates. . .I just spoke to Mac and she says. . ." Harm trailed off completely, his smile, which Keeter called a 'shit eating grin', washed away. He still wasn't too sure what to make about Vukovic. All he knew was that Harm wouldn't trust him as far as he could throw him. "Vukovic."
Smug grin in place, Vic glanced up at Harm. "What did Mac say?"
"About you, nothing good. . .Skates on the other hand. . .She says 'hi'." Unceremoniously, he crashed into proffered chair. "How are you and Loftness getting along? Obviously, he hasn't managed to keel haul your six the hell out of here." Ah, now that was a hit, a soft one, but a hit nonetheless.
Vic chuckled. "The skipper and I are doing well as of late."
"Mmm. . . Being the SECNAV's boy, it was understandable."
Skates knew a pissing contest when she saw one and quickly intervened. "Well then, Commander. . .It was nice to sort of meet you." She came to her feet and then tugged at Harm's shirt. "Hammer, it's time to get our bird up in the air."
Vic grinned, if anything, he loved this little bit of power he held over Harm. The fact that he could torment him so much. God, if the man only knew how many things he could do. How many things he had done. Things that were fruitless until now. He reminded himself. Look what dealing with Ted Jarvis had done: absolutely nothing. His new attempts might wind up just as fruitless, but the chances of Rabb coming out on top. . .well. . .they were slim. "Have a nice flight."
About an hour later, Skates and Harm sat inside an F-14, going through the usual checks as they waited to do their next set of quals. "Soooo. . .You and that Lieutenant Commander. .."
Harm rolled his eyes, then gave his RIO a pointed stare. "Vukovic. . .And yes, we've a history. . .Sort of. . . .He was assigned to JAG Headquarters in Falls Church the last year I was there. . ." He checked off a few other switches. "Son of a bitch had a thing for Mac. . .And he still does."
"Permission to speak freely?"
A brow rose in amusement. "Wasn't that what we were doing?" Outside of the normal formalities between junior and senior officers, the pair acted more like friends than anything. It was surprising to hear Skates ask for permission.
Of course, he wasn't to know that the next question out of Skates' mouth fell more towards the 'touchy feely' aspect of Pilot/RIO relationships. "Did you ever figure things out with Colonel MacKenzie?" She held back her laughter when the normally cool and calm pilot literally started choking on his own spit. "Uh, you alright, sir?"
"Fine." Harm wheezed out, managing to get his breathing back under control. "Woah, odd when your own fluids go down the wrong tube."
"Guess that answers my question." Skates' smug expression couldn't be smothered even if ordered to. This information was just priceless. "I'll take it as a 'yes.'"
"Good, because it is a yes."
Unable to help herself, the questions started flying "Really! Since when?"
Harm nodded. "We've been together for about half a year. . .We're living together."
"Only half a year?" This was a whole new territory for her and Harm, but if he was willing to talk about it, she was willing to listen. "Do tell."
"In 2005 we went our separate ways. . .And we found each other again. . .My PI service is in San Diego and so is Mac's billet." His answer was simple, no need to go into details. This certainly wasn't the time for it and he wasn't too sure that Mac would appreciate their love life being discussed as if it were part of some movie. "We're making it work and it's working really well."
Reaching over, Skates placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of friendship. "I'm happy for you, Harm. . .And for Mac." Now, more than ever, she was going to do her best to get them both home to the ones they loved. "You know, when I found you were heading over, I requested to be your RIO."
"Oh really? The Skipper claims it was his idea."
She shook her head. "It may have been a joint effort. . .Besides, you needed someone to keep you safe, else a certain Marine would kick his six and mine to kingdom come. . .His words not mine." It also helped that Loftness gave her a wink of understanding – a gesture that meant that the partnership between Rabb and MacKenzie was a little more serious than before.
Harm chuckled, mentally adding Loftness and Skates to those that had that sixth sense about his and Mac's relationship. "And that's all you needed to put two and two together?"
"No sir, that picture on the console helped a lot." She grinned at him over the mirror. From Skates' vantage point, she could clearly see a picture of Mac on the control panel, out of the way of any instruments, but at a place where Harm would probably see out of the corner of his eye. "So now you have this Vuko guy to contend with?"
Harm finished his checklist and then sat back to wait for more instructions. "I don't have to contend with him. . .It's just that. .. he bothers me. . .He has this thing for Mac that I don't think is healthy."
"The Colonel is a beautiful woman, Hammer. . .I'm sure he's not the only guy in the service with an unhealthy thing for her."
That was true, however, "Yea, but this is different. . .He's flirted with her too openly and though she's backed him off time and time again. . .It's like he doesn't get it."
"Maybe he does get it. . .Maybe he does this to piss you off, you know?"
"Does that mean you think I am easy to piss off, Commander?" He teased.
Oh yea, especially about things in Harm's belief system. "No, sir. . .However, you care for the Colonel deeply and men that care for women that deeply, have been known to fly over the edge a little."
"So I am overreacting?"
"No, sir. . . I would be acting the same way if I were in your shoes."
The cryptic messages behind her statements left Harm stumbled, utterly. "What is it with women? Can't you give us guys a straight answer? I swear, you need to be into crypto to decipher the messages." He radioed the tower when final instructions were given and then felt the Tomcat jerk into motion. "So, does that mean that you agree with me or am I being an ass?"
"You know him better than I do, Hammer. . .Do you think he's after the Colonel?. . .If, without a shadow of a doubt, you think this guy is after her, then you aren't overacting and you aren't being an ass. . .You are protecting her."
Harm sighed. This was the military, you couldn't just grab the person and 'handle them' the way you could as a civilian. And though the thoughts of beating the crap out of Vukovic gave him warm and fuzzy feelings, it would likely send him to the brig. Maybe that was Vic's idea? "Thing is, he's hiding something. . .I know he is. . .I just didn't have a chance to dig into it. . .The last thing I want is for Mac's career to suffer a blow because of some self serving, arrogant, bastard."
The plane was set into position and almost immediately the crew members were hooking it onto the catapult. "You know, the Colonel is one lucky woman."
"And I'm a lucky man." He smiled at Skates through the mirror and then turned to look at Mac's picture.
"You know, for the first time ever I am actually scared to go up."
That wasn't quite what she wanted to hear and yet, it was comforting somehow. "I know what you mean. . .Something about this sounds like a script to a bad melodrama." Skates stared at the blue skies above and the incoming Tomcat on the portside of the carrier. "To your recollection, has this ever happen before?"
"You mean, outside of watching TopGun?" In the modern era, there was no more dogfighting. That was a thing of old, something their fathers and grandfathers did. Now, the planes were built for bombing runs and protection of other, more susceptible planes. This was ludicrous and it wasn't supposed to happen to the strongest military force in the world. "What sucks is that all of these so called 'former' Communist countries are selling their goodies to the highest bidders. . .Civilians shouldn't be able to just go off and buy one of our planes or anyone else's."
Hawkes agreed. "Who does your gut instinct thing it is?"
"I want to say Al-Queda, but I am not too sure they're as capable as some people believe them to be. Thing is, after 9/11, a lot of radical groups have sprung up. . .Some of them more powerful and rich and able."
"I saw some of the footage that our planes shot of the incident. . .The way they fly. . ." She sighed and leaned in, almost as if she were sharing a secret. "I think they were our guys."
"Former pilots? I've never thought of that." The thought made him sick to his stomach. His former comrades flying against the country they once protected?
"Maybe. . .Or at least pilots that were US Military trained. . .some of their maneuvers are ours."
"That leaves a bad taste in my mouth, Skates." The investigative side of him was dying for a little head to head combat with these Ghost planes. The other half of him just wanted to be sitting at home with his woman at his side. "Let's hope we'll never have to find out."
December 21, 2010
0830 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Commander Sturgis Turner stood at perfect attention in front of Creswell's desk. The man was finishing a telephone conversation and letting him sweat it out. The man had a bone to pick with him, undoubtedly so. Scuttlebutt had gotten around this community about two Naval officers who were once friends acting without civility to one another. If you asked Sturgis, he couldn't quite pin point the moment his oldest friend began hating him. He wasn't a very good friend or Naval officer when both Harm and Mac were dealing with personal issues a good five years ago. He was the one who was priggish and sanctimonious, refusing to deal with his friends' issues simply because he was tired of them not making up their minds.
Now, it was with great remorse that he returned to a place which he refused to be changed by. And yet, he had changed, five years had taught him to bend or be bended. It hadn't helped that Varese had ripped his heart out and trampled it when he found her in bed with the guitar player of her band. It had hurt deeply and helped him make the decision to return back to the service. He tried a stint as a submariner for a good six months but found that his love lay squarely in the law.
Even through the years that he'd worked as Varese's manager, Sturgis never sat on his laurels. He'd kept his license current and even managed to win a court case involving her publicist. He followed the Navy Times closely, always curious in a life which he reluctantly left behind. As he stood in front of Cresswell's desk, the normally cool Naval officer began to feel the sweat trickle down his back. If his commanding officer had him simmering this long, then something was definitely up.
It was about a minute later when Cresswell turned his attention to Sturgis. "Commander, have a seat." He studied the younger man for a moment, knowing that he once possessed the tools of the trade and wondering if he still did now. "I assume you've kept up with the times. . .Which means you would know about the Wolf Vs. Timms fiasco?"
"Yes, sir." Sturgis' baritone voice conceded. "It's a he said, she said type of case. . .He claims she attacked him, she claims it was self defense. . .It doesn't really help that both of them have influential parents."
The intercom buzzed and a new yeoman, Petty Officer Second Class Max Jenkins, announced Mac's arrival. "Sir, Colonel MacKenzie is here, shall I send her in?"
Cresswell couldn't hold back the smile when Sturgis' brows hit his hairline. "Yes, Max, send her in. . .Also, when you can, bring three mugs and the pot of coffee. . .Hold all other calls unless from the higher ups."
Mac stepped into the room, closing the door behind her and then marching to the front of Cresswell's desk. She stood at attention and barked out in perfect Marine fashion, "Colonel Sarah MacKenzie reporting as ordered, sir."
"At ease, Colonel, take a seat." Once she did, he waited patiently for the tension in the room to accelerate. Five years ago, everyone knew that the only reason MacKenzie dealt with Turner – or vice versa – was because both of them were good officers able to do their jobs without adding to the animosity. "Let me cut straight to the chase, seeing as I am not the type to sit and watch chaos ensue. . .I know you two and Captain Rabb have issues. . .I suggest you deal with them OUTSIDE of this office. . .Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Aye, sir."
"Originally, I gave the Colonel the option to choose weather she'd prosecute or defend. The two of you would have been on opposite sides. .However, you two will be on the same side this time."
Not that it was a bad thing, she and Sturgis had a knack of getting things done although they couldn't be anymore different in their methods. However, being Harm's girlfriend, she wanted to bury the man and maybe make things a little even. "Same side, sir?"
"Apparently Timms wants a private attorney."
Sturgis was concerned about something else. "When will the case begin, sir? I mean, the holidays are just around the corner."
"Well, Congresswoman Wolf apparently is friends, best friends, with the SECNAV. . .Hewitt told me, in no uncertain terms, that this must go on, even over the holidays." The two officers across from him shared looks of disapproval which quickly disappeared. This was duty and they would sacrifice anything for duty. "Colonel, you are lead counsel, Turner you'll sit section chair." He was about to hand over the information, but stopped short. There was one other thing, which he wasn't sure he should bring up in front of Sturgis. Then again, they had all been friends once, maybe this would help some? "Colonel. . .Mac. . .I know about Harm. . .I know what's going on. . .It's difficult, but you do have a job to do."
"Yes, sir."
"If at anytime this gets to be too much, you let me know. . .I'm a married man, in love with his wife. . . I know what it's like on the other side." Having said that he turned to Sturgis. "I'm sorry to hear about your recent divorce, Commander. . . I do hope you find someone worthy of you." With that, the touchy feely moment came to an end. "Now, let's get to work. . .I'll be damned if some Washington legal weenie is going to beat my lawyers."
